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POSTED UNDER IPL Reviews

IPL Destroyed my Face and Chest!

ORIGINAL POST

I had IPL full face done 3yrs ago with awesome...

$600

I had IPL full face done 3yrs ago with awesome results.

I just had 3 IPL treaments done in Apr/May/June 2009 full face and a few spots on chest. I had 2nd degree burns on chest with blistering and now hypo pigmentation and my face was burned and I blistered under left eye with dents and bruising on face. 5 months later my face has gotten worse, it still swells and has to be iced evvery nite, my skin is sagging, lost volume in entire face, have more spots and scars appearing almost daily, my vision is extremely sensitive to light, i get a rash on my face when I talk on cell phone (from the heat!) I have bags and dark circles under my eyes that I have never had.This list goes on. My chest is still scarred with 1" white squares.

I looked fine before now this had aged me 10-20yrs. I am 48 and would like to know how this happeded and hopefully if there is any advise on what can be done. Doctors I have been to dont have any experience with IPL damage. Please Help I am including photos even thought I am extremely embarrased. Thank you for any insight or hope.

Can you please explain how this non-invasive procedure could have happened? How did I get white squares on my chest and not my face? And how could my face get worse, I did not have all those spots, dark circles, wrinkles, sagging and swelling before the procedure? Research out there is confusing, could you please explain?

Carla D's provider

Dr. Gerzenschtein/Heather Sornson

Refused to acknowledge that I was even burned (even though picture speak a thousand words)told me to just go home and heal for 6 months, offered no help or compassion.

Replies (28)

Hi Carla,

I'm very sorry to hear what you've been through with IPL. I don't have any medical advice for you but there are a few other people on RealSelf who are going through what you are with IPL burns. In addition to getting a doctor's advice, they might be able to help by letting you know what they're doing to get rid of the burn marks.

Here are links to a few:
Ipl can seriously burn you

Beware! ipl can cause serious burns!

All of the IPL reviews and discussions are located here: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

I hope this helps and good luck with your recovery. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

IPL's suck and so do the irresponsible doctors that adminster them. I also had a horrible experience with IPL from a dermatologist here in MI. I had a mild case of melasma,(very mild, all I needed was creams, not IPL) he suggested the IPL's and now I have permanent scars on my face with almost a zig-zag on my cheek. No lie! My melasma went from being a very mild case to now covering about 50% more than what it was before. I'm angry and every time I look at my skin without makeup I want to cry. I spent hundreds of dollars to make me look worse? It's insane! It's robbed me of my once high self esteem, hate to be seen without makeup, hate to look at myself without it. I can't believe this procedure has done this to me. I'm so mad, thinking of sueing. It's just wrong and irresponsible on the part of the doctor and laser companies selling the idea that heat and light makes melasma better. WRONG, it makes it worse, trust me.
Sorry to hear about your trouble with IPL. I am filing a complaint with the States Dept. of Regulation and Licensing against the doctor, esthetician and the Medical director. From there I am sending copies to everyone, Atty. General, FDA, FTC, Consumer protection services and I have an appt with an attorney next week. I wont stop til something is done, I wish more people would report their IPL complications, especially burns and scars the their states Reg & Lic department and the FDA. I have been in depression and hiding in the house for 4 months and enough is enough. Somebody is going to held liable.
Honestly, you look like a completely different person. If you find out what went wrong, please let us know. My dermatologist suggested IPL and now I am way too scared. Thanks for your courage in posting photos to warn the rest of us. Cheers
This is serious malpractice. Have you considered suing? No matter what waivers you signed, you've suffered physical damage, that is mutilation. By filing a lawsuit you will be sending a message to irresponsible practitioners such as these.
Hi I spoke with an attorney last week who is really only interested if I can find an Expert Witness. I filed with the State Regulation and Licensing board and Medical Examing Board, but will take 3-4 months to hear anything, if they even investigate. I'm at a loss, none of us asked for this and no one will help. We all need to band together and make someone listen to us!
I also reside in Michigan and have had a horrible experience with third degree burns due to someone using the wrong laser to remove a tattoo. I am now facing having a skin graft done. It is very serious. Did you ever find a lawyer in Mi to take the case?
Yes, I know. This is a common complaint on many message boards all over the Internet. I'm sorry this happened to you. Many others have been damaged as well with the same problems you have had. There is even a support board for those such as yourself who have been damaged by IPL and other medical devices. I'm sorry you've had to go through this. DCNGA
Thank you for your concern. It is still a nightmare, and one I want to wake up from it. I feel for everyone out there that has suffered any harm from IPL and Lasers. We need to all get together with our stories and Picutres (no matter how embarrassing they are) and take this to the FDA, Congress, Our States Medical Boards, ATTy. General and who ever will listen inorder to change regulations and prevent others from having this happen to them. Please send me a link to the support website you mentioned, and again, Thank you.
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